418 research outputs found
Quality of symptom elicitation in an epidemiological survey on tuberculosis
The quality of symptom elicited by health workers in an epidemiological survey on tuberculosis was
assessed by again subjecting a 10% random sample of the persons interviewed, by the supervisory staff, independently.
Three thousand four hundred and forty nine persons were thus interviewed twice. The overall estimates for overdiagnosis
and under-diagnosis in the elicitation of symptoms by health workers were to the extent of 16% and 8%
respectively, with minimal yield of sputum positivity from the discordant groups of persons. The additional load of 16%
for sputum examination can thus be considerably reduced if health workers are well trained in symptom-elicitationscreening
of the population and their work is monitored through spot supervisory checks
Genetic diversity analysis of pearl millet (Pennisetum glauccum [L.] R. Br.) accessions using molecular markers
Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was applied to pearl millet genotypes in order to assess the degree of polymorphisms within and among genotypes and to investigate if this approachwas suitable for genetic studies of pearl millet. 20 genotypes were evaluated using 30 different 10-mer primers of arbitrary sequence. Most of the primers did not reveal any polymorphism; however 12primers revealed scorable polymorphism between genotypes of pearl millet and these can be further evaluated for use in genetic mapping. Pair-wise comparisons of unique and shared polymorphic amplification products were generated by Jaccardâs similarity co-efficient. These similarity co-efficientswere employed to construct a dendrogram showing phylogenetic relationships using unweighted paired group method with arithmetic averages (UPGMA). The UPGMA analysis indicated a higher similaritybetween genotype PT 2835/1 and PT 5552 and lowest similarity index was observed between PT 5554 and PT 2835/1. Analysis of RAPD data appears to be helpful in determining the genetic relationship among 20 pearl millet genotypes. The associations among the 20 genotypes were also examined with Principle components analysis (PCA) from Jaccardâs similarity co-efficient and it is more informative to analyze the extreme genotypes
Genetic variation and diversity for grain iron, zinc, protein and agronomic traits in advanced breeding lines of pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] for biofortification breeding
Genetic improvements of iron (Fe) and
zinc (Zn) content in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum
(L.) R. Br.] may reduce the problems of anemia and
stunted growth among millet dependent staple food
consumers. The availability of variation in diversebreeding
lines is essential to improve grain micronutrients
in high-yielding cultivars. This study aimed to
determine the extent of variability, heritability and
diversity for grain Fe, Zn and protein, along with key
agronomic traits, in 281 advanced breeding lines bred
at ICRISAT and evaluated across two seasons (environments).
A pooled analysis of variance displayed
significant variation for all these traits. Highest
variability was recorded for Fe (35â116 mg kg-1),
Zn (21â80 mg kg-1), and protein (6â18%), and a
three-fold variation was observed for panicle length,
panicle girth and 1000-grain-weight (TGW). Diversity
analysis showed 10 clusters. Cluster-III had maximum lines (25%) and Cluster-V showed the highest mean
values for Fe, Zn, protein and TGW. These results
highlight the success of breeding program that aimed
both the maintenance and creation of genetic variability
and diversity. A significant positive correlation
among Fe, Zn, protein and TGW indicated the
potential for simultaneous improvement. Grain yield
had a non-significant association with Fe and Zn,
while protein showed a negative correlation. These
results suggest that significant variability exists in
elite-breeding lines, thus highlighting an opportunity
to breed for biofortified varieties without compromising
on the grain yield. The lines with high Fe, Zn and
protein content can be used as hybrid parents and may
also help in further genetic investigations
Identification of Fe and Zn Responsive Genes in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) through Whole Genome Transcriptome Approach
Micronutrient malnutrition due to iron and zinc deficiencies is a serious public health problem in developing countries. In India alone, about 80% of the pregnant women and 74% of children suffer from iron and zinc deficiency. At present, knowledge of the genes controlling specific steps in the Fe and Zn pathways is still rudimentary hence studying genes of Fe and Zn density has become important. A whole genome RNA-Seq approach was carried out to understand the genes and pathways related to Fe and Zn accumulation in pearl millet. Seedlings of a high Fe and Zn grain density pearl millet inbred ICMB 1505 were exposed to four Fe and Zn stress treatments namely, âFe âZn, âFe +Zn, +Fe âZn and +Fe +Zn in hydroponics for 12 days (Figure 1). Seedlings were expressed interveinal chlorosis in the leaves due to the non-availability of Fe and Zn compared to control during the stress treatments. At that time, the leaf and root tissues in four treatments were
harvested separately. Total RNA was extracted from the treated samples followed by cDNA synthesis. Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform was used to sequence the constructed cDNA libraries. Analysis of differentially expressed genes and
pathways associated Fe and Zn is underway. Simultaneously, a set of 40 genotypes with variable Fe and Zn grain density were selected and tissue samples from different plant parts such as seed, flag leaf, root, stem sheath, panicles at anthesis and panicle at milky-stage were collected. RNA was extracted from the samples to validate the genes associated with Fe and Zn homeostasis. The information will be used for accelerated breeding programmes to improve the Fe and Zn density in pearl millet
Maternal inheritance for grain iron and zinc densities in pearl millet
Genetic variation and inheritance of micronutrients in pearl
millet has largely been studied in recent years as part of
biofortification initiatives. In this study, maternal (reciprocal)
effect on inheritance of grain Fe and Zn was studied using
a set of diverse breeding material. Entries were paired for
low and high for Fe density to produce direct and reciprocal
crosses. Over two-seasons, Fe density among parents
varied 31-64 mg kgâ1 and Zn density varied 28-43 mg kgâ1.
Difference between each direct and reciprocal crosses for
Fe (1 to 4 mg kgâ1) and Zn (0 to 2 mg kgâ1) were negligible
and non-significant, hence cytoplasmic or maternal genes
are not likely to modify inheritance of these traits. These
results indicate that high Fe/Zn inbred can be used either
as female or male parent in hybrid-parent breeding program
Soil health to human and animal health through breeding biofortified cultivars and balanced nutrient management for nutrition revolution in India
India has larger prevalence of
micronutrient malnutrition as 50% of
children and women are suffering from
one or more essential micronutrient
deficiency. There is an urgent need for the
country to address this issue of
malnutrition holistically through addressing
the issue of soil health to animal and
human health. Widespread multi-nutrient
deficiencies in soil are resulting in nutrient
deficient food leads to malnutrition.
Feeding the children with supplements to
address the issue is good to fix the issue
quickly. However, in long-term, to find a
sustainable solution, we need to adopt
holistic approach. Along with
demonstrated soil health management,
biofortification research at ICRISAT is
focused on improving grain Fe and Zn
density. Our approach is to provide a
âproof of conceptâ to address the issue of
malnutrition through soil health
management and biofortification of staple
food crops.
To make impact, soil health mapping,
balanced soil nutrient for increasing crop
yields and quality are proposed.
Government of India has taken up soil
health mapping and issuing soil health
cards to all the farmers. Further,
integration of biofortified cultivars of crops
like millets in the states and country
strategy, would help to achieve future
targets of biofortified cultivars to reach
one billion people by 2030. Market is a key
driver for long-term adoption of
biofortified cultivars by farmers and
consumers, and a recent initiative on
Smart-foods on millets and pulses by
ICRISAT is expected to enhance this uptake
process in collaboration with food
industries. Holistic approach starting with
identifying the soil nutrient deficiencies,
meeting the crop demands through
balanced soil nutrient management and
using biofortified cultivars, can have
increased micronutrient uptake capacity as
well as capacity to have nutrient dense
grains and fodder by increased nutrientuse
efficiency and would significantly
contribute to improved nutrition by
increasing the daily micronutrient intakes
as evidenced by bioavailability studies in
millets..
Light interception and radiation use efficiency (RUE) in maize (Zea mays. L) intercropping with greengram (Vigna radiata L.)
Intercropping is growing two or more crop species simultaneously, different canopy architectures by row configuration, changing light interception, radiation utilisation, and increased yield. The present study aimed to evaluate different intercropping systems affected light interception per cent and radiation use efficiency in maize (Zea mays L.) intercropping with greengram (Vigna radiata L.) different ratios. Field experiments were conducted for Kharif 2022 and Rabi 2022-2023 seasons, which were laid out in a split-plot design and replicated three times. Three Nitrogen levels viz., N1 - 75 % RDN (Recommended dose of Nitrogen), N2 â 100% RDN, N3-125% RDN had taken as the main plot and three intercropping treatments were taken as subplot viz., M2G2- replacement series (two row of maize and two row of Greengram), M4G2- replacement series (four rows of maize and two row of Greengram), M2G3-paired row system (two rows of maize and three rows of Greengram), and sole maize. Both light interception and radiation use efficiency were significantly affected by intercropping systems. Light interception per cent of the main crop (maize) was significantly higher (69.0, 75.5 and 71.0 % during Kharif and 60.1, 78.1 and 76.6 during rabi) at vegetative, flowering and maturity phases, respectively. The Kharif 2022 and Rabi 2022-2023 maximum Radiation Use Efficiency (RUE) of Maize intercropping with green gram (maize + greengram) was higher in T12 (M2G3 paired row with 125 % Recommended Dose of Nitrogen) recorded as 2.46 (Kharif) and 1.43 (rabi). The outcome might be utilised to optimise the row configuration of intercropping design, explain the mechanism of intercropping on light utilisation, and improve radiation use efficiency
Screening for anti-fungal proteins in pearl millet inbreds active against Pyricularia grisea
Pearl millet is a commonly grown nutri-cereals in the semi-arid regions of India and Africa.
Productivity of this crop is challenged by many biotic stress and blast (Pyricularia grisea)
has emerged as a new threat. Recurrent chemical protection is expensive and not sustainable
approach for farmers. Therefore, identification and utilization of host plant resistance is very
appropriate. Present study screened 20 inbreds crude proteins for anti-fungal activity against
blast isolates collected from Patancheru (Pg45), Jaipur (Pg138) and Aurangabad (Pg186)
using oatmeal agar plates (qualitative) and microspectrophotometric assays (quantitative).
There was significant reduction in growth rate of fungal colony of highly virulent isolate Pg
138 (9-57%; P<0.01)on oatmeal agar plates at fixed time intervals against Pg138, while no
significant differences were observed for Pg 45 and Pg 186.Further, inhibition of fungal
spore germination and initial growth (48h) of these isolates was monitored quantitatively
(595nm) in the presence of each crude protein extract for 48h. As a result, high reduction in
fungal growth was observed for Pg138 (64-87%) followed by Pg186 (21-61%) and Pg45 (2-
31%). Total protein in the tested lines varied 10-15%. Results showed that these protein
extracts were effective (9-50%) against cysteine protease, papain commercially sourced
from papaya that indicates millet protein extracts contain cysteine protease inhibitors and
not a trypsin inhibitor. The result suggest that these PI may be used as potential alternative
to anti-fungal agents, and merits further studies contributing to resistance breeding
Correlation Studies for Grain Yield Components and Nutritional Quality Traits in Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) Germplasm
Before selecting genotypes for nutritional quality characters (protein, oil and micronutrients content)
and anti-nutritional factor (phytic acid), it is important to know how much selection is likely to affect yield.
Using a diverse range of genotypes, relationships between quality traits with yield and yield attributes in pearl
millet were investigated. The number of productive tillers, panicle length, panicle girth, days to maturity,
100-grain weight were most important traits for maximizing grain yield owing to their high significant positive
association with grain yield. Phytate phosphorus and total phosphorus were significantly positive correlated
and it is therefore inferred that simple selection against phytate phosphorus is unlikely to lower phosphorus
concentration in pearl millet. No correlation between grain yield and protein content. These suggested that,
there is possibility of selection for increased protein content without detrimental effect on grain yield
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